Dec 12 Daily Shipmate

Friday, 12 December 2025

An Army/Navy ball run tribute: Running for our fallen

USNA's 13th Company runs the game ball each year for the Army-Navy matchup, and each runner wears dog tags honoring a fallen alumni hero. Our Run to Honor Shared Interest Group provides the names so their legacies stay present in this cherished tradition. This year, 13th Company will run the ball in honor of the heroes listed below, carrying their memory with every step as they make their way to Baltimore.

 

LT Ruben Songco '43, USA was killed on 3 December 1944 by pro-Japanese Filipinos while on a years-long reconnaissance mission on the island of Panay, Philippines. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star.

LTJG William Turner '44, USN was killed in action on 24 October 1944 when USS Shark (SS 214) was sunk with all hands in the Luzon Strait. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star.

LTJG James Hudson '50, USN was killed in action on 22 December 1952 when the AD-3 Skyraider he was piloting was destroyed by anti-aircraft fire while attacking facilities near Hwangsuwon-ni (Somong-ni) North Korea. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for continuing to press the attack “with expert airmanship, outstanding courage and unswerving devotion to duty.”

CAPT Edmund Taylor, Jr. '53, USN was lost on 8 May 1972 when the helicopter he was aboard crashed while attempting to land aboard USS Providence (CLG 6) in the Gulf of Tonkin. He had been awarded the Bronze Star for his actions while commanding officer of USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG 22) in 1967.

Maj Jack Phillips '59, USMC was killed in action on 14 October 1967 when North Vietnamese forces overran his company's command post. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action.”

2ndLt Theodore Vivilacqua '68, USMC was killed in action with North Vietnamese forces on 13 May 1969. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for “his courage, aggressive leadership and steadfast devotion to duty.”

LT Daniel Moran, Jr. '63, USN killed in action on 15 January 1967 when he was mortally wounded by anti-aircraft fire while piloting an A-4 Skyhawk over North Vietnam. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross “for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.”

Photo of the day

Want to see your Army/Navy watch party photo in Daily Shipmate's “Photo of the Day”? Now is your chance! All watch party photos shared on MyUSNA will be considered for a chance to be featured in Daily Shipmate. Log in to MyUSNA.com, share your photo and you're entered. Five winners will be randomly selected to appear in next week's Daily Shipmate.

Today's Army Spirit spot

Coming back into Annapolis for the big game in Baltimore. Get a reminder about how awesome Naptown is in this legendary spot.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Follow Jeff Webb '95 on the Army/Navy ball run

In what may be becoming an annual tradition, USNA AA&F President and CEO Jeff Webb '95 will join his former company, 13th Co., in running the official Army-Navy game ball from USNA to Baltimore. Webb will be running an afternoon leg with the mids in the Severna Park/Pasadena area if you're driving locally. If not, follow us on Instagram and Facebook for videos from Webb along the way.

 

U.S. Naval Academy holiday gate hours

Two service academy rivals forge career paths that lead to the Secret Service

Theodore Roosevelt started the tradition of sitting presidents attending the Army-Navy football game in 1901. Coincidentally, the U.S. Secret Service began protecting the commander in chief in the same year. Today, the annual rivalry has become a homecoming of sorts for some special agents and Uniformed Division officers. These former cadets and midshipmen have taken the skills they learned at their respective military academies and brought them to the Secret Service. Special Agent James Edward “Buck” Baynard II '01 and Acting Deputy Assistant Director Stephen Gleason (USMA '00) recently sat down to discuss their experience in Annapolis and West Point ahead of the game scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

The Army-Navy Game has a long history of players who later served in combat, but fewer than a dozen former cadets and midshipmen went on to receive the Medal of Honor, the United States highest award for valor. Six Navy football players and five Army players from West Point earned the medal for extraordinary bravery in conflicts from Mexico in 1914 through World War II and Korea. Their actions ranged from saving comrades under enemy fire to leading assaults against fortified positions, reflecting courage both on the field and in battle.

From the Podcast Fleet

Phew…we made it. That was a long week. Chris and John close out 5 Days of Army Pods with our final predictions and observations about the events happening around the big game. We talk a little bit about the O's first baseman of the future…but only a little bit…and close out the week with an appreciation of the greatest rivalry in sports. Our featured interviews are big ones. The first female veteran to ever be elected Governor of a U.S. State? Come right up! Mikie Sherrill joins the boys to talk about her 1-3 record vs Army, the origins of her USNA journey and her philanthropic drive as an alumna. And Tim Sheehy went from SEALs to Senator. That's No small feat. Tim talks about the great class of '08, what part of Montana is the most beautiful and his drive to continue his service to the nation in D.C. That and more on America's best Alumni Association Podcast. Beat Army.

Listen on

Go Navy, Beat Army! We break down the big game

It's the most important pod of the season because we are talking about the most important game of the season. Former Navy football greats Eric Kettani and Keenan Reynolds provide their analysis in advance of the 126th Army-Navy Game. Producer Chris Servello brings the fan's perspective of the annual service academy showdown. Head coach Brian Newberry joins as a special guest and talks about this season and the Navy football program as a whole.

Government & Military News

U.S. seizes tanker off coast of Venezuela

The U.S. seized a tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday during a meeting with business leaders. Trump described the ship as a “large tanker, very large” and that it “was seized for a very good reason.” He said that there could be more actions to come. The Coast Guard referred all questions to the White House. The White House did not immediately respond to USNI News.

U.S. and Japan hold joint flight drills as China increases military activity near Japan

U.S. strategic bombers joined a fleet of Japanese fighter jets in a joint military exercise meant to demonstrate their military cooperation around Japan's airspace, defense officials said Thursday, as tensions with China escalate. The exercise showcasing joint Japanese-U.S. air power came a day after Chinese and Russian bombers flew together around western Japan, prompting Tokyo to scramble fighter jets, though there was no airspace violation. It also follows China's military aircraft locking radar on Japanese jets Saturday, another incident that has caused Tokyo-Beijing relations to further deteriorate. Japan's Air Self Defense-Force and the U.S. military conducted the joint exercise Wednesday as “the security environment surrounding our country is becoming even severer,” the Japanese Joint Staff said.

Local, Education & other academy news

From Footjoy, Peter Millar, head covers and N* emblem golf balls. That and other perfect stocking stuffers for your Navy golfer are available on the online store. But if you're in Annapolis this weekend for the game, swing by the Pro Shop out at Greenbury Point. You don't have to be a member to shop there…and you have a much larger selection. Support Navy Golf this holiday season…and rep that N* Johnny O polo on the course next spring.

Tens of thousands of fans are expected to brave the cold and make their way to M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday for the Army-Navy game. "Friday night, we have a small party for West Point; we have some alumni, a group of 50 coming in. They were warned that we are dressed up for Navy," said Denis Nash, taproom manager at Checkerspot Brewing Company. "Saturday, we are hosting the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association here for a very large tailgate party, as many as 1,000 (people)." "We have a party for Army, about 150 people, I believe, the day before (the game)," said Roman Magolon, manager at Pickles Pub. "We're excited for them to come in, but we're also fans of Navy, too. So, whoever wants to pop in, we're welcoming."

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Navy alum Murphy Smith advances to 2028 Olympic marathon trials

Former Navy cross country and track & field standout Murphy Smith '25 qualified for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon with a 10th-place finish at the 2025 California International Marathon in 2:11:58 this past weekend. As a cross country runner at Navy, Smith earned All-Mid-Atlantic Region accolades two times (2023, '24), while also being named USTFCCCA All-Academic as a senior. The Charlotte, N.C. native won back-to-back individual Patriot League Cross Country titles (2023, '24) to earn first-team all-league honors, while helping Navy claim four straight conference crowns during his tenure.

Today's Matchups: BEAT ARMY!

Navy leads 6-4-1 (Army - Volleyball, Men's Soccer, Women's Rugby, Women's Cross Country. Navy - Men's Golf, Men's Cross Country, Sprint Football, Men's Rugby, Men's and Women's Swimming. Tie - Women's Soccer)

7 Feb - Rifle - West Point - 9:00 a.m.

7 Feb - Gymnastics - Annapolis - 2:00 p.m.

7 Feb - M. Indoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA

7 Feb - W. Indoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA

20 Feb - Wrestling - Annapolis - 7:30 p.m. - Alumni Hall

21 Feb - W. Basketball - West Point - 11:00 a.m.

21 Feb - M. Basketball - West Point - 1:30 p.m.

27-29 Mar - Baseball - West Point - TBA

4 Apr - W. Tennis - Annapolis - 11:00 a.m.

11 Apr - M. Outdoor Track & Field - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - W. Outdoor Track & Field - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - M. Lacrosse - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - W. Lacrosse - Annapolis - 12:00 p.m.

18 Apr - M. Tennis - Annapolis - 1:00 p.m.

USNA and AA&F Events

12 Dec - Wreaths Across America - USNA Cemetery - 9:00 a.m.

12 Dec - 13th Company Ball Run - T Court - 11:30 a.m.

12 Dec - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter - 8:30-10 a.m. - Taphouse, 1637 23418 Three Notch Rd, California, MD 20619, USA

16 Dec - Army/Navy Fall Sports Bell Ringing - T Court - TBD

18 Dec - USNA December Graduation

 

4 Jan - USNA Semester Leave ends

6 Jan - USNA Classes Begin, Spring Semester

10 Jan - Pensacola Chapter Congressional Academy Day - 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Fl.

14 Jan - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Social & Business Mtg. - Brudergarten - 5:00PM EST -

22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 - Online event: https://meet.google.com/toh-nvgs-yvn

22-26 Jan - AA&F Engagement Roadshows - Central Savannah River Chapter + NAPC of South Carolina & NAPC of Georgia; SC Lowcountry Chapter + NAPC of South Carolina; Charleston Chapter + NAPC of South Carolina; SC Midlands Chapter + NAPC of South Carolina

 

14 Feb - Commissioning 101, Fluegel

19 Feb - USNA Entrepreneurs event, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Fluegel

19-20 Feb - Service Academy Career Conference - Atlanta

20-22 Feb - AA&F Engagement Roadshows - Nashville Chapter + NAPC of Middle Tennessee; Chattanooga Chapter + NAPCs of Middle & Eastern TN; Knoxville-Oak Ridge Chapter + NAPC of Eastern Tennessee

 

12-15 Mar - AA&F Engagement Roadshows - Arizona Chapter + NAPC of Arizona; Southern Arizona Chapter + NAPC of Arizona; Northern Arizona Chapter + NAPC of Arizona; New Mexico Chapter; Intermountain Chapter + NAPC of Utah

13 Mar - Alumni Association Travel Showcase

27 Mar - Council of Annual Giving Spring Meeting, TBD

 

10 Apr - Athletic & Scholarship Program, Prizes & Review Committee Mtg, TBD

16 – 19 Apr - USNA Women's 50th Gala, Fluegel

24 Apr - Council of Annual Giving Spring Meeting

28 Apr - Council of Class Presidents Spring Meeting

29 Apr - AA & FDN Board of Directors & Trustees Joint Session

29 Apr - AA&FDN Board of Directors & Trustee Welcome Reception

30 Apr - U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Spring Board of Directors Mtg, Fluegel

30 Apr - U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustee Committee Meeting, Fluegel

30 Apr - U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustee Welcome Dinner

 

1 May - U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustee Spring Meeting

7– 8 May - Service Academy Career Conference, Washington, D.C.

15 May - Class of 2026 1/ C out-processing, Alumni Hall

18 – 22 May - U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2026 Commissioning Week

21 May - President's Circle Sip Sip Soiree

22 May - Class of 2026 Commissioning and Graduation